Alberto Callaspo’s Fantasy Value after the Trade

Now that Alberto Callaspo is moving to the Los Angeles Angels, what does that do for his fantasy value?

The
most notable aspect of Callaspo’s profile is that he nearly impossible
to strike out. This season, only three batters sport a strikeout
percentage that’s better than Callaspo’s 8.3%.

Throughout the years, many of the best prospects who have come up through the Angels system, including Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar, Kendry Morales,
and Callaspo himself, have owned the ability to put the ball into play at a brisk rate. One player who didn’t fit the organizational philosophy was Brandon Wood,
who stands on the opposite spectrum and is one of the easiest to strike
out in the majors with a 30% rate. It’s no surprise then to see that Callaspo will be replacing Wood at
the hot corner.

The
elite contact rate earns Callaspo some batting average karma. In both
2008 and 2009, he hit above .300. This season, he’s hitting .275,
but has been the victim of an unlucky .278 BABIP. Callaspo’s walk rate
is down this season, but with some regression on the upside, he could certainly be a .300
hitter going forward.

This makes Callaspo a nice stop-gap in mixed leagues, and potentially more valuable in points leagues that penalize strikeouts.

To
become relevant in all leagues, however, he’ll need to boost his stats
in the other counting categories. There may be some hope.

Callaspo
stands to gain additional run and RBI opportunities in his new
environment. In Kansas City, he was batting in the sixth lineup
spot for a team that ranked 20th in the majors in runs
scored. For Los Angeles, he’ll be hitting for a team that’s 9th in run scored. Judging by manager Mike Scioscia’s comments after the trade, Callaspo could have a prominent role in the lineup too.

Callaspo
has never been much of a speed demon, with only eight steals in five major
league seasons. But in moving to the Angels, he’ll also get the
opportunity to play for a manager who has traditionally been one of the
most aggressive on the basepaths.

As for
power, Callaspo isn’t a big bopper. But he did hit 11 HRs last year and
is on pace for 13 this year. Angels Stadium of Anaheim has ranked as a
more friendly HR environment than Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City for
three consecutive seasons, according to ESPN’s Park Factors.

Scioscia is also known to mix and match in his lineup, and besides
Wood, the Angels sport another third baseman who is an elite force in
making contact in Maicer Izturis. But assuming Callaspo stays
in the lineup on a regular basis, the trade portends better things to
come.

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